Regular Versus Premium Petrol For Your Honda

Regular versus Premium Petrol for Your Honda

While many motorists just head to the pump and go for the regular unleaded, this isn’t necessarily the best choice for their vehicle. By the same token, depending on what type of car you’re driving and what you’re hoping to get out of it, it might be a matter of diminishing returns when you upgrade your fuel quality. Premium fuels also put more of a dent in your wallet.

The team here at Collins Honda have compiled the essentials of what you need to know about different qualities of fuels and their prices – so you know your best option for the next time you’re filling up your Honda.

Which Is Better for My Honda?

Fuel quality is measured with regard to something known as engine ‘knock’. The knocks are caused by uncontrolled explosions within the cylinder (as opposed to the controlled explosions that make the car move). Engine knocks waste fuel, reduce efficiency and can damage the engine itself.

A Research Octane Number (RON) measures how liable the fuel is to result in a knock effect, on a scale of 0 to 100 with the lower number indicating a greater likelihood of engine knock.

In Australia, regular unleaded petrol has a RON rating of 91, but you’ll notice on the pumps that there are other more expensive options with higher RON ratings (95 and 98 usually). Fuel companies often add things to the more premium varieties to help clean and lubricate the components of a car’s engine.

It’s also worth noting that regular unleaded petrol (91 RON) is usually an E10 blend (indicating 10% is ethanol). Not all car engines are suited to ethanol, so be sure to check with the car’s owner manual or one of our friendly team regarding the best fuel for your Honda. All Honda vehicles manufactured after 2004 are capable of taking E10 fuels. However, some Honda vehicles require a “Premium” 95 fuel, and so 91 RON E10 should be avoided in these cases.

Price Fluctuations – What to Keep an Eye On

As anyone who has filled up their Honda a few times knows, prices in petrol can vary widely and unexpectedly. It pays to understand a few factors that influence pricing.

International Benchmark Prices Are in $USD

If there is a significant weakening of the value of the $AUD against the greenback, it will be reflected in higher prices at the pump.

Australia Imports Most of Its Oil

With less than 1% of the world’s known fuel reserves, Australia is highly dependent on imports from other countries. Australia imports most of its refined petroleum products from Singapore which, in turn, imports more than 80% of its supplies from the Middle East. Naturally, this means that if there is instability in oil-producing Middle East regions, this can cause prices to greatly spike. If the US becomes a greater producer and exporter in the coming years, this could potentially drive down prices.

Choose a Fuel-Efficient Honda

Honda is known for their unique engines. Be sure you’re putting the right fuel into your car to get the most out of your particular engine. Contact usContact us today and we’ll be happy to answer your Honda questions! s, we are prone to a good bit of eating to relieve boredom. Well, food is probably more exciting for the kids so distribute snacks at well-timed intervals to keep their pestering at bay.